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Home safety

More accidents happen in the home than anywhere else.  Nearly three million injuries suffered in the home are treated in hospital every year (Source: RoSPA).  So you must be aware of the dangers at all times.  You will find some general safety tips below that will help you avoid unnecessary accidents.
SDDC Tradesman

Electricity

Some simple rules when using electrical appliances:
  1. Switch off appliances not in use and remove the main plug from the supply socket especially before going to bed.
  2. Remove plugs carefully - not by pulling the flex.
  3. Make sure plugs are wired correctly and use only good quality plugs that conform to British Standards 1363 or 1363A.
  4. Never run an electrical appliance from a light fitting.
  5. Use short, undamaged, flexes and check their condition regularly.  Do not run under carpets or rugs as the protective covering can be damaged.
  6. When using external appliances [i.e. mowers, hedge trimmers, etc.] ensure that the appliance and cable is protected by the use of a residual current device (RCD), which cuts off the supply in the event of a cut cable or earth leakage.
  7. Make sure you know the location of the main switch and fuse box

If you discover a problem with the electrics inside your home please report it to Housing Repairs as soon as possible on 01283 595808/9, in person or by email repairs@south-derbys.gov.uk

If the council's electrical contractor is called out to attend to a problem with the electrical supply and it is found to be due to a fault on your appliance, you will be recharged for the costs incurred.

Gas Safety

Gas Leaks

If you suspect that you have a gas leak, make sure you:

  1. Put out all naked flames, including cigarettes. 
  2. Turn off the gas at the emergency control valve located by the meter.
  3. Open doors or windows. 
  4. Do not switch any electrical switches on or off.
  5. Do not use a door entry system.
  6. Turn off mobile phones.
  7. Call the gas emergency service on 0800 111 999. 

Ventilation

To work safely and efficiently, gas appliances, without a balanced flue, need fresh air.  

Ventilators in the wall, window or door often provide fresh air, and it is very important that these should not be blocked, as this can lead to a dangerous build-up of poisonous fumes.

Servicing/maintenance of heating appliances

If your heating appliance has not been serviced within the last twelve months please inform Housing Services.  

If a gas flame, which normally burns blue, burns orange this may be a build up of carbon monoxide.  Have your appliance checked immediately

Gas cookers

Whilst the Council does not own any of the gas cookers in domestic properties, a visual test of tenant’s cookers are undertaken during the Annual Gas Safety Check.

If the cooker is faulty, the gas engineer will inform you that either the cooker has to be isolated or the entire gas supply shut down.

Solid Fuel Safety

Simple safety rules are:



  1. Do not draw a fire with a newspaper, or use petrol or paraffin to start it.
  2. Sweep your chimney or flue as recommended. We will sweep your chimney twice a year, but you are responsible for any extra sweeps that the manufacturers recommend as a result of the type or amount of fuel you use. 
  3. If you have an enclosed room heater or boiler, follow the manufacturer's instructions and brush clean thesmoke outlet every month.
  4. Burn only recommended fuels.
  5. Have adequate ventilation.

Protecting your home from fire



  1. Smoke Alarms.  Your home is provided with a mains operated smoke alarm, which has a battery back up for when the mains power fails.  Regularly test the alarm; replace the battery if it bleeps; never remove the battery to use elsewhere and never paint the casing when decorating.
  2. Don't leave children alone, especially where heating or cooking appliances are in use, and keep matches out of reach.  Check that all fires are safely guarded.
  3. Watch chip pans.  Make sure that they are not more than half full and don't leave them unattended without turning off the heat.
  4. Check heaters.  Make sure they cannot be knocked over and are away from furniture and furnishings, and see nothing is left where it could fall onto a heater.  Do not move oil or gas, heaters when alight.
  5. Check your home at bedtime.  Switch off and unplug TV sets, radios and portable electric heaters. Check ashtrays for burning cigarettes or pipes and make sure any candles are extinguished.  Close all doors to prevent the spread of fire.
  6. Don't smoke in bed.  It is a major cause of fires in the home.  Always finish your last cigarette or pipe, before going to the bedroom and make sure it is extinguished.
  7. Decorations.  Do not hang decorations around light fittings.
  8. Fire extinguishers.  If you can afford to buy an extinguisher for your home, have it serviced annually (some suppliers will do this).  If you buy a disposable extinguisher make sure it carries the BS number 5422 or 6165 and be prepared to renew it every four years.

Water Supply

Stopcock

Make sure you know where the stopcock is for turning off the main water supply.  It is normally on the service pipe where it enters your home; usually under the kitchen sink (but it could be in the bathroom or hallway) and you should ensure that it is not stuck.

It is advisable to check the stopcock before the onset of winter.  The cold-water storage tank and toilet cisterns have overflow pipes to prevent flooding.  If there is an overflow and you cannot stop it you should contact Housing Services.

Frozen pipes

It is advisable to lag all exposed pipes and keep your home warm in winter. If any of your pipes freeze:

  1. Switch off gas fired water heaters and draw off solid fuelled fires.
  2. Turn off the mains supply at the stopcock; if faulty, report to Housing Services immediately.
  3. Drain the system by turning all the taps on.
  4. If no damage is visible you may open all taps and attempt to thaw out the pipe work with an electric fan heater or a hairdryer.  Cloths soaked in hot water can also be applied to the pipes.
  5. In the event of a severe leakage from burst pipes, switch off the electricity supply at the mains, and inform Housing Services.

Heating and hot water

If you are unsure how to operate your heating and hot water system, advice may be obtained from Housing Services. To keep fuel bills lower, hot water cylinders should be lagged.

Protect your system

Have any dripping taps repaired or else the waste and over flow pipes may freeze up and cause flooding.

Maintain the temperature above freezing point where pipes and fittings are situated in cold areas, by attending to the general heating of your home or by using a safe type of heater.  Where it is not practicable to keep the temperature above freezing point, lag the pipes with insulating material.

Insulate pipes and toilet cisterns in outside lavatories.  If not used during winter months, shut off the stop tap, drain the cistern and remove water from the pan.

Contact details

Housing Services
South Derbyshire District Council
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH

Tel:  01283 595809
Fax:  01283 595852
Online: contact form
email: housing@south-derbys.gov.uk  

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